Stellantis Recalls 285,000 Sedans Over Side Curtain Airbag Safety Concerns

Stellantis, the multinational automotive corporation, is issuing a recall for nearly 285,000 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans across the United States due to potential safety hazards related to side curtain airbag inflators.

According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the affected models, manufactured between 2018 and 2021, may have been installed with airbag inflators susceptible to internal corrosion caused by moisture ingress during the manufacturing process. This corrosion could lead to inflator cracks, increasing the risk of rupturing and projecting metal fragments into the vehicle cabin in the event of an airbag deployment.

While reminiscent of previous recalls involving Takata airbag inflators, Stellantis emphasizes that this issue is distinct and unrelated. The recall exclusively affects Charger and 300 sedans, with no other Stellantis models implicated.

Starting in early May, Stellantis will notify affected vehicle owners via mail, instructing them to schedule a dealership visit for the replacement of both side curtain airbags at no cost. Additionally, owners who have previously incurred expenses for side airbag replacements will be eligible for reimbursement.

Despite the potential safety concerns, Stellantis has not received reports of accidents or injuries associated with the defective airbag inflators. However, there have been five documented instances of inflator ruptures, all occurring in parked vehicles exposed to interior temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit, particularly prevalent in hot weather conditions.